Smoke from Canadian wildfires is lingering over New York and New Jersey ahead of the World Cup final, but forecasts suggest air quality will improve by Sunday’s Spain vs Argentina match in East Rutherford.
The haze reduced visibility and triggered unhealthy air quality warnings across the northeastern U.S. on Saturday. New York briefly ranked as the city with the worst air quality globally on Friday, though conditions are expected to shift before the 3 p.m. local time (19:00 GMT) kickoff.
Will wildfire smoke affect the World Cup final?
Meteorologists predict the smoke will largely clear by Sunday. A storm front moving through the region is expected to push the thickest haze away, leaving only faint traces. AccuWeather’s Tyler Roys noted the “eye-popping” smoke causing poor air quality should not persist over New York or much of the northeast by matchday.
Jeff Berardelli of WFLA-TV added the front would “sweep the atmosphere clean,” with temperatures near 27°C (80°F), light breezes, and low humidity at kickoff. Both experts agree the heavier smoke will remain closer to the fires, concentrated over the Midwest and Great Lakes.
Weather disruptions and team preparations
A thunderstorm disrupted preparations on Saturday, forcing Spain to suspend its final training session at Melanie Lane Training Ground due to lightning. The Spanish federation confirmed the move followed U.S. storm safety protocols, with players warming up indoors instead. Argentina proceeded with its outdoor session at 1:30 p.m. (17:30 GMT) without reported concerns.
FIFA stated it is monitoring stadium conditions in coordination with local authorities. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill warned residents of potential damaging winds, tornadoes, and flash flooding, though the forecast for Sunday’s match remains favorable.
